Man Beaten By New Orleans Police Pleads Not Guilty to Drunk Charge

A 64-year-old man whose beating by New Orleans police officers was caught on video has pleaded not guilty to public drunkenness and resisting arrest.

A lawyer for Robert Davis argued that the charges against his client are groundless and should be dropped. But a judge Wednesday ordered Mr. Davis to return in January for trial proceedings.

Two officers seen on the video punching Mr. Davis and wrestling him to the ground are facing battery charges.

Frank De Salvo. a lawyer for the officers said Wednesday that several witnesses saw Mr. Davis stagger down the street and bump into a police horse. They say he used abusive language, and refused to cooperate when told to place his hands behind his back.

A third police officer has been charged with battery for shoving a television news producer at the scene.